The Whale Toyota Bees attempt to extend their winning home run to a sixth meeting on the bounce when they tackle the 2001 champions Oxford at Brandon tonight.

Though they have surrendered top spot in the table to Eastbourne after losing their last two away fixtures at Ipswich and Wolver-hampton, Bees have won their last five matches at Brandon to ease the fears over their fragile home form.

There is also the little matter of putting the record straight after their home defeat against Oxford on the opening night of the Brandon season, though that was only a Challenge match and tonight's contest is for the real business of Elite League points.

Bees have already gone some way to avenging those back-to-back Challenge defeats in the first 48 hours of the campaign - they also lost at Cowley - by winning 46-44 on their return to Oxford on April 19.

That means victory tonight would bank Bees three points, and move them back level with Eastbourne at the top of the Elite League table.

Wolverhampton's Paul Hurry guests for the injured Lee Richardson - having ridden against Bees at Monmore Green on Monday - while Tomas Topinka makes his home debut.

Skipper Billy Hamill, disappointed with Monday's 16-point defeat at Wolverhampton, said: "We are not taking anything for granted but we believe we can get the better of Oxford tonight.

"From a personal point of view, I just want to get through a meeting without any problems. That's my goal for tonight after what's happened to me so far this season.

"Every time I feel I am getting going and everything is working well, I am knocked back down again by another bike problem. It is getting so frustrating."

Oxford arrive at Brandon (7.45pm) with Leigh Adams in formidable form. The Aussie Champion collected a stunning 18-point maximum in Saturday night's 48-42 defeat at Eastbourne and is currently the top rider in the Elite League.

* A PARTY of pupils from Balsall Common Primary School will be at tonight's meeting. Bees have extended their Schools Initiative, launched so successfully in 2001, to include group visits this season, in association with Harry Shaw Travel, who are providing the coach travel to and from the school.